Single level multiple product filler wheel

A product filler wheel for feeding product into a series of open-mouthed pouches moving in a path and comprising:

• a single filler wheel having a circumferential area of predetermined thickness and having an upper and lower surface;
• at least two product dispensers for feeding two different products to two discrete channels disposed around the upper surface of said filler wheel, each channel being defined by a respective set of funnels defined in said filler wheel and having inlets communicating with a respective channel;
• a plurality of spouts disposed on said lower surface of said wheel, each spout serving as a conduit for receiving product from one or the other of said funnels in said filler wheel and for transferring product therefrom for filling pouches,
• said spouts having discharge outlets mounted to move in a path operatively communicating with said path of said open-mounthed pouches and feeding product directly into said pouches.

Apparatus for filling pouches and comprising:

• a pouch wheel for holding a portion of a train of open top pouches in a circular path for filling;
• a filler wheel having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• at least two product channels defined at an upper surface of said filler wheel, both channels lying in two respective circular paths, one inside the other,
• at least two sets of funnels defined in said filler wheel, one set having funnel with openings lying under one of said circular paths and another set of funnels having funnels with openings lying under the other of said circular paths;
• the funnels of each set of funnels having outlets;
• discharge spouts mounted on the lower surface of said filler wheel and having inlets and discharge outlets, with at least some of the discharge outlets disposed above said circular path of said open top pouches at least some of said discharge spouts having said outlets above said path intersecting said circular path of said open top pouches;
• respective inlets of said spouts alternately disposed in operative communication with respective outlets of the funnels of said funnel sets;
• a first product feeder for feeding a first product to a first one of said channels;
• a second product feeder for feeding a second product to a second one of said channels;
• and
• wherein a first product in said first channel feeds into funnels of a first set and a second product from a second channel into funnels of a second set, such that the two products are fed alternately from respective funnels into said spouts and from said spout discharge outlets directly into pouches one after the other.

A method of feeding multiple products to alternate succeeding pouches, including the steps of:

• feeding at least two products into respective feed paths on a wheel;
• dropping the products respectively into two sets of funnels defined within the wheel;
• transferring product from each set of funnels into alternating spouts;
• aligning the spouts with respective pouches and inserting portions of said spouts directly into pouches;
• and
• dropping products from said spouts directly into respective alternate pouches into which said spouts are inserted.

A method of loading pouches including the steps of:

• feeding product into at least two product feed paths defined on a filler wheel;
• dropping product from one feed path directly into a first set of funnels defined within said wheel;
• dropping product from another feed path directly into a second set of funnels, defined within said wheel;
• dropping product from each set of funnels directly into alternating pouch filler spouts mounted on an underside of said wheel;
• aligning outlets of said spouts with respective pouches;
• inserting portions of said spouts into said pouches;
• and
• dropping product from said alternating pouch filler spouts directly into alternating pouches, one after the other.

A single level, multiple product filler apparatus for filling open-mouthed pouches moving in a path and comprising:

• a single wheel of predetermined circumferential thickness having upper and lower surfaces, defining a single level,
• a first set of funnels disposed in a first circular path within said single wheel between said surfaces at said single level;
• a second set of funnels disposed in a second circular path within said single wheel between said surfaces at said single level;
• a plurality of spouts mounted on a lower surface of said single wheel beneath said funnels in said single level and having spout discharge outlets;
• said spout outlets being mounted for motion in a path which at least partially intersects the path of said pouches;
• and
• said funnel and said spouts defining an uninterrupted flow path for product through said funnels and said spout discharge outlets directly into said pouches.

A single level multiple product filler apparatus for filling pouches moving in a path and said apparatus comprising:

• a single wheel having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• a first set of funnels formed within said wheel;
• a second set of funnels formed within said wheel;
• said funnels having entry openings defined in the upper surface of said wheel and outlet openings formed in a lower surface of said wheel;
• filling spouts attached to said lower surface of said wheel;
• said filling spouts having discharge outlets moving in a path at least partially intersecting the path of said pouches.

A single level multiple product filler wheel apparatus having upper and lower surfaces for filling pouches moving in a path therebetween and comprising:

• a first set of funnels in said wheel;
• a second set of funnels in said wheel
• said funnels having outlets in a lower surface of said wheel;
• and
• filler spouts attached to said lower surface of said wheel beneath said funnel outlets,
• said filler spouts having product discharge outlets disposed about a path which at least partially intersects said pouch path for delivering product directly to pouches in said pouch path.